Metabolism of 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone in Normal Adrenal Cortex, Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma

Summary

Radioactive 17α-hydroxyprogesterone vas incubated with slices of normal adrenals, and of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma tumours. The metabolites vere separated and purified by chromatography in different systems; their radiochemical purity vas proved by crystallization to constant specific activity. Cortisol, cortisone. Compound S and testosterone vere identified as metabolites from all three tissues. The formation of these metabolites was significantly lover in the tumour tissues. The study demonstrates that not only the pheochromocytoma, but also the extra-adrenal tumour, paraganglioma, contains enzyme systems capable of synthesizing steroid hormones.